Global Business

The Oxford Diploma in Global Business is a masters-level postgraduate qualification designed to help you undertake the senior international responsibilities which drive organisational success.

Over 13 months, this part-time programme will enhance your understanding of the issues involved in conducting business in a global landscape whilst allowing you to fulfil your existing work commitments.

This is an intellectually rich programme designed to extend knowledge and broaden and deepen your skill base, with a clear focus on practical application. The Diploma will provide the knowledge and skills you need to reach the highest level of your career, whether you are managing in a commercial or public sector context.

A focus on global strategy, risk and reputation, corporate diplomacy and international business challenges

The Diploma in Global Business offers:

• the ability to apply knowledge learned in the areas of global business strategy, risk and reputation, corporate diplomacy and doing business in emerging economies to your current and future roles, and compete internationally for senior management posts
• a postgraduate-level qualification which builds on your existing professional development and experience
• access to top-level teaching from world-leading experts, drawing on Oxford University's strengths in global business and management
• membership of a unique network of peers and practitioners from around the globe
• lifelong association with the university through the business school, university networks and college membership - and a pathway to the Oxford Executive MBA.

Led by Professor Mari Sako and other world-leading faculty in the areas of global business and strategic management the Diploma in Global Business combines the highest standards of academic rigour with a practical approach to global business management.  The programme is based on four modules of teaching in the areas of global strategy, risk and reputation, corporate diplomacy in a global context and the challenges of working with emerging economies.

1. Global strategy

This module develops understanding of the critical trends in global business, and the factors which underlie these trends. Participants will evaluate the opportunities and risks of international expansion in this semi-globalised world, and the tools available to implement global strategy.

Topics covered:

• Market and non-market strategies
• Managing the global value chain
• Global value creation: adding value scorecard
• Strategies for capturing global value: aggregation, adaptation, arbitrage.

2. Risk and reputation

The focus of this module will be the challenges of managing international business in situations of high organisational risk. This module examines foreign direct investment, strategies and the rules of engagement at both national and local levels in order to give participants an overview of the dynamics of global business management.

Topics covered:

• How to globalise: aligning organisational structures and strategies for global expansion

• Managing the dynamics of the global firm

• The challenges of cross-border mergers and acquisitions

• Power and influence in cross cultural management

• Managing knowledge intensive professional service organisations globally

• Innovation in the multinational enterprise: globalisation of R&D

• Stakeholder interaction and engagement.

3. Corporate diplomacy in a global context

The relationship between corporations, states, and Non-Governmental Organisations will be the focus of this module and participants will gain a deeper understanding of the political complexity of global management.

Topics covered:

• Business relations with states and NGOs

• Corporate diplomacy: business as a political actor

• Measuring and mitigating risks

• Corporate social responsibility as risk management strategy

• Crisis management and the news media.

4.  The challenges of business in emerging markets

The size of the world’s emerging economies makes them a magnet for foreign businesses yet they have proven to be immensely difficult places in which to do business, not least because the business landscape can be in a constant state of flux. This module will offer you a framework for understanding the rapidly changing business context of emerging markets and equip participants with the tools to do business in them.

Topics covered:

• The rise of state capitalism and its impact on business-government relations

• Dynamics of competition between local and foreign firms in emerging markets

• Inclusive innovation at the bottom and the middle of the pyramid

• Rise of BRICs and the future of global economic order.

Business Project Report

The Business Project Report will be based on specific strategic, global or organisational issues taking place within the participant's own organisation or sector. Consisting of no more than 10,000 words, it provides the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned on the programme. Participants will be allocated a faculty member in their field of interest to work with where possible.

1. Academic ability

We recommend that applicants have a first-class or an upper second class undergraduate degree or equivalent international qualifications (GPA of 3.5). Applicants who do not hold such a qualification may be considered if they have a very strong employment record demonstrating a high degree of responsibility. Professional qualifications may also be taken into consideration.

All applicants are required to supply transcripts of their previous higher education qualifications as part of the online application. A transcript is an official document showing the modules taken and the marks/grades awarded. A certificate of completion is not sufficient. If receiving an offer on the programme, we will ask you to forward us hard copies of your transcripts.

We do not seek a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT score.

2. English language proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.

• TOEFL iBT 110
• IELTS 7.5

3. Relevant work experience

Applicants normally have a minimum of five years' work experience, this is essential to making the candidate a valuable contributor to the student group and the learning experience of the Diploma.

Oxford Diploma in Global Business Scholarship for Women

A scholarship for 50% of the fees will be awarded each year to an outstanding female candidate based on the breadth and depth of work experience, past academic and professional qualification performance, and potential career impact. The aim of the Scholarship is to support female candidates of merit and to encourage an increase in women considering senior leadership roles.

Candidates submitting a completed application, including references, before the scholarship deadline will automatically be considered. The scholarship deadline for a 2018 start is Monday 23 October 2017.  Early application is advisable.